EMPORIA, Kan. – Rogers State baseball (20-11,8-10 MIAA) survived in a thrilling, extra-inning 10-6 win in the series opener against Emporia State (12-20, MIAA) on Friday.
 
The Hillcats started hot as they put up two runs in the first inning to take an early 2-0 lead. AJ Folds led off the game with a single to right center. Joel Escalante followed that up with a double to left to put runners in scoring position. Prescott Horn drove in Folds as he grounded out to the shortstop. Jesse Holguin plated Joel Escalante with a sacrifice fly to left.
 
The Hornets responded in the home half of the frame with two runs of their own to tie it. A RBI single through the left side of the infield scored the first run with the second run scoring on a wild pitch.
 
RSU counterpunched with a two more runs in the second to go back up 4-2. Gavin Mestas led off the inning with his sixth home run of the season, this one a blast to straight away center. Bennett Henderson singled to center. Ramon Torres doubled to left center to put runners in scoring position with one out. Folds brought in Henderson with a sacrifice fly to left.
 
The Hillcats added a run in the third to push out to a 5-2 advantage. Jesse Holguin launched a 2-1 pitch over the centerfield wall to start the inning.
 
They tacked on another run in the fifth to extend the margin to 6-2. Horn earned a seven-pitch walk to start the frame. He then stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by the catcher with two outs. Mestas brought him in with a single to right center.
 
ESU's bats came alive in the bottom of the sixth as the pushed across four runs to knot things at 6-6. A bases loaded walk scored the first run with a sacrifice fly to left and a single to left scoring the other three runs.
 
Over the final three innings of regulation, neither pitching staff allowed a run and scattered five hits with four runners left on base to force extra innings.
 
After a scoreless 10th inning, the Hillcats finally broke through with four runs to take the 10-6 victory. Horn led off the inning with a single to left. Holguin followed suit with a single to right that allowed Horn to take third. Holguin then proceeded to steal second. Jorge Martinez drove in Horn with a line out to the second baseman. Mestas was intentionally walked with one out. Geovanni Blackshaw came through with a double to center and then advanced to third on an error by the centerfielder, scoring Holguin and Mestas. Conner Womack was hit by a pitch to put runners at the corners. Torres plated Blackshaw with a single to right.
 
Nate Wohlgemuth (1-1) earned his first win as a Hillcat after an outstanding performance, working the final 5.1 innings out of the bullpen without allowing a run and scattering two hits with an eye-popping 11 strikeouts and only two walks. Andres De Leon also had a solid start with nine strikeouts while allowing six runs on six hits. Greg Ross (1-3) took the loss.
 
The Hillcats will look the claim the series in game two tomorrow. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.